The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
From the top to the bottom
Bottom to top I stop
At the core I've forgotten
In the middle of my thoughts
Taken far from my safety
So I'm bright in the sky
The sun will escape me
So why did I try (2x)
From the thread to the needle, middle to end
When skies cock back and shock that which couldn't defend
The rain then sends dripping acidic questions
Forcefully, the power of suggestion
Then with the eyes tightly shut looking thought the rust and rotten dust
A spot of light floods the floor
And pours itself upon a world of pretend
The eyes ease open and its dark again
Chorus
Bridge:
In a minute you'll find me
Eyes burning up
You say you'll never forget me
Until the lies has piled up
Moving all around
Screaming of the ups and downs
Pollution manifested in perpetual sound
And as wheels go round the sunset creeps past the
Street lamps, cars, chain-links, and concrete
A wind open grows and captures the eye
Prys out yellow light as it passes it by
A small black figure sits in front of a box
Inside a box a clock with the needles on top
Nothing stops in the slanted the pain
The same lose not knowing they were part of the game
And the inside changes and the box stays the same
And shame, shovel up the pieces to the pain
You could try to hide yourself in this world of pretend
When the paper's crumbled up it can't be perfect again
Chorus
Bridge
Now I got you got in the act
You better step back
I'm telling you that
I see it right through you (7x)
Bridge (2x)
Bottom to top I stop
At the core I've forgotten
In the middle of my thoughts
Taken far from my safety
So I'm bright in the sky
The sun will escape me
So why did I try (2x)
From the thread to the needle, middle to end
When skies cock back and shock that which couldn't defend
The rain then sends dripping acidic questions
Forcefully, the power of suggestion
Then with the eyes tightly shut looking thought the rust and rotten dust
A spot of light floods the floor
And pours itself upon a world of pretend
The eyes ease open and its dark again
Chorus
Bridge:
In a minute you'll find me
Eyes burning up
You say you'll never forget me
Until the lies has piled up
Moving all around
Screaming of the ups and downs
Pollution manifested in perpetual sound
And as wheels go round the sunset creeps past the
Street lamps, cars, chain-links, and concrete
A wind open grows and captures the eye
Prys out yellow light as it passes it by
A small black figure sits in front of a box
Inside a box a clock with the needles on top
Nothing stops in the slanted the pain
The same lose not knowing they were part of the game
And the inside changes and the box stays the same
And shame, shovel up the pieces to the pain
You could try to hide yourself in this world of pretend
When the paper's crumbled up it can't be perfect again
Chorus
Bridge
Now I got you got in the act
You better step back
I'm telling you that
I see it right through you (7x)
Bridge (2x)
Lyrics submitted by a scar in the sky
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